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Thursday, Feburary 2, 2012: Impact Fitness at "Teton Running Company" - Idaho Falls, Idaho

Impact Fitness will be the Feature Brand at TETON RUNNING COMPANY in Idaho Falls on Thursday, February 2nd for their “Ladies Night Out.”

Free Clinics, Jamba Juice, Raffle Prizes and REALLY COOL Workout / Running Apparel will all be offered from 6-8pm at Teton Running Company in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Impact Fitness will be on hand with our NEW Women’s Running & Lifestyle Apparel for Spring 2012.

Come out and See us!  Teton Running Company is located at 3208 S. 25th E. (Corner of Sunnyside and Hitt Road) in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Can Your Metabolism Be Changed?

Metabolism: Can We Control It?

The body’s metabolism is a unique process for each individual person.  No two people metabolize food at the same rate therefore no two people have the same metabolism.  We all use our calories at different rates, with different results.  Our metabolism, like our fingerprints is unique to each of us.  But the need to understand and accommodate this metabolism is an issue that we all face.

The dictionary defines metabolism as the sum of all biochemical processes involved in life, or the sustaining of life.  In application concerning our health, metabolism is related to the intake and use of food.  In reference to the case in point it is our ability to utilize our food to the fullest extent.

Right now, the greatest results in raising our metabolism come from exercise and building our muscle mass, while reducing our body fat.  Adding more muscle to the body, in turn causes us to burn more calories, and this helps to elevate our metabolic rate.

Our metabolism functions also depend on how well we have taken care of our nutritional needs. Some people have really high rates of metabolism.  In other words, when they consume food, their bodies burn it up almost as fast as then consume it.  Then there are those of use who use our food intake so slowly, as to not even notice that we’re burning calories.  These people who burn quickly are often slim and trim, the people who burn more slowly are the people with a tendency toward obesity.

For years, people have sought ways to raise the metabolic rate.  If you can raise someone’s metabolic rate, you are then better able to control the burn of calories, especially for overweight or obese people.  This would make the goal of better or improved health a much easier reality for those people.  Efforts to date have produced very little results.  There are foods that we can consume that naturally raise our metabolic rate, but not to a great extent.  What we need is a way to directly alter the rate.  We need to be able to raise our metabolism to a point where we can actually see a benefit.

This is where the effort to stay physically fit and active provides tremendous payoff. Over the course of your life, if you stay active, exercise, and maintain optimal health for your muscles, you will see a tremendous difference in the rate that your body metabolizes food.  As people age, their metabolism quite naturally slows down.  The greatest way to prevent this from happening is through exercise and staying fit.

The best way to date to control our metabolic process is through proper nutrition, daily exercise, eating the foods known to have an effect on our metabolic rate, and plenty of rest.  The metabolic process can be indirectly controlled by the methods we just discussed.  The more healthy and fit you are living day in day out, the more energy you have, the better you look and the better you feel!!

Article By:  Micah LaCerte

Tips for Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness

Exercise is good for everyone, especially if you’re a mom–even a pregnant one. You can work out your entire pregnancy, and thereafter.  Here are tips to take you through the nine months of your pregnancy and the nine months following childbirth.

Prenatal Exercise

The most recent research shows that exercise is beneficial for mom and baby during pregnancy. So long as there are no contraindications (ask your doctor), you should be able to work out throughout your pregnancy.
The purpose of exercise changes at this time of your life. Instead of working out to tighten up, you work out to loosen up (for childbirth).  Exercise should be stress relieving, not stress producing. The exercises you choose should get your heart pumping, stretch your body, and help you manage weight gain. It will also help prepare you for the “marathon” of labor and delivery. Your pregnancy and labor will be much easier if you’re fit.

If you have already been working out, you can probably continue your current routine. If you are new to working out, you should start slow and gentle.  Popular modes of exercise during pregnancy include walking, water workouts and prenatal yoga classes. The most important thing is to listen to your body — If the exercise doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

Modifications During Pregnancy:

1) Watch your intensity during pregnancy. This is not the time to go for the burn or work until exhaustion.  A good indicator is a talk test: If you can talk through your exercise, you’re probably at an appropriate intensity.  If it feels too difficult to talk, you’re working too hard.

2) Be careful with physical sports that could knock you off balance–such as skating or skiing–and of sports that could risk physical trauma such as hockey or rock climbing.

3) Do not become overheated. Your baby does not have a way to cool himself. Wear light-weight, comfortable maternity workout clothing and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Warning Signs:

Please stop exercising and go see your doctor if you experience the following:

* Excessive Fatigue
* Dizziness
* Shortness of breath
* Feeling Faint
* Vaginal Bleeding
* Contractions
* Unusual absence of fetal movement

The 9 Months After Baby

Seventy percent of moms are unsatisfied with their bodies even nine months after giving birth. Even those lucky few who do take off their pregnancy weight don’t necessarily regain their same body composition. No matter how fit you are throughout your pregnancy, you’ll need special training for your new role as a mother. Pregnancy and childbirth can wreak great challenges on your body, all which are reparable with a sound exercise program.

Very soon after childbirth, most doctors say new moms can start out with a program of gentle stretching, slow walking, abdominal contractions and Kegel exercises. Your body is a good barometer and will tell you when you’re doing too much through increased vaginal bleeding. If that happens, it’s time to rest and relax some more. Build back to a fitness program very slowly. Most doctors will recommend that you wait six weeks after childbirth to begin a formal exercise program. The nice thing is that you don’t have to leave your baby to get in your work out.

Front Pack Carrier Workout

A must-have for every new mom is a front pack carrier. These handy holders let mom carry baby around and keep her arms free. Baby loves the motion and being close to mom, and mom loves the freedom. What moms might not realize is that that same carrier can also be a great work out. Because baby’s weight is evenly distributed, it adds a functional weight to the workout. The only downside we can find with a front pack carrier is that it can wreak havoc on your posture. New moms already suffer from posture problems aggravated from feeding, picking up baby, car seats and more.  The best way to use a baby carrier is to focus on stretching the chest area and strengthening the upper back.  When wearing the carrier, regularly contract your shoulder blades, bringing them together as if you were squeezing a pencil. Keep shoulders down and back, and neck long and relaxed. Exercises you can do with a front pack carrier include lunges, plie squats and wall sits. Obviously, baby’s safety comes first.

Stroller Workout

Every new mom has some type of stroller. Not only is it a great mode of transportation, it makes a great workout. You can get a great cardiovascular workout while walking or running with your stroller, and you can get a great strength workout by doing lunges or squats. Pushing a stroller incorrectly is a sure way to sabotage your posture and to wind up with an injury. Take an inventory of your body from head to toe. Here are some stroller workout tips:

1)  Walk with good posture at all times.
2)  Keep shoulders low and pulled back.
3)  Lead with your chest. Imagine that you have a string attached at your sternum (the bone between your breasts) and it is pulling you forward.
4)  Hold in your abs, not your breath.
5)  Keep a soft bend in your arms and keep wrists in neutral alignment.
6)  Stroller Stride: When walking, feet and knees should be facing forward. You can do long, powerful strides and/or short, quick strides. Work at an intensity where you are a little out of breath but not so out of breath that you cannot talk during your work out.

What we won’t do for ourselves, we will most likely do for our children. Taking care of yourself is a gift for your children from the time they are within you. They benefit from your health, your energy and you as a role model!

Article by:  Lisa Druxman

10 Simple Tips To a Healthier & Happier Family

There are few things in life that I know for sure, but one thing I am certain of is that all of us want healthier, happier families.  As a mother myself, there is nothing I enjoy more than seeing the innocent smile on my daughter’s face, or hearing the delighted laughter of her older brother.  It is natural to want the best for our children and our families, and that includes creating a atmosphere of fitness and health within our homes.

Healthy children are naturally happier.  They are more active, they perform better in school, they are better behaved, and they tend to be more obedient.  A healthy child also has a higher likelihood of being a healthy adult later in life.  Creating an atmosphere of health within your home can be simple.

Following is a list of 10 simple things that you can do to make your family a healthier, happier family:

1.    Take your children (or spouse) grocery shopping with you and allow them to pick new fruits and veggies to taste.
2.    Teach your older children how to read food labels, especially looking for sugar content.
3.    Plant a garden with your children and let them help take care of it.  The garden does not need to be big, even a few potted tomato plants will be enough to teach your family to appreciate fresh produce from a little effort.  When you grow it yourself it always tastes better!
4.    Get rid of the high sugar soft drinks and flavored drinks and replace them with good old water.  Your kids will actually do better in school if they drink water.
5.    Trash the processed treats and replace them with something yummy and healthy.  Some of our favorites are fresh fruit, vegetables, string cheeses and greek yogurt.
6.    Start incorporating more whole grains which provide many health benefits and better nutrients than refined grains.  Some whole grains to make the switch to include:  brown rice, whole grain crackers and breads, oatmeal, barley and whole grain pastas.
7.    Take a cooking class together and invite the family to help make the family meals.  Not only can new skills be learned for later on in life, but cooking together opens up the dialogue to talk about different foods, why you chose them, and their health benefits.
8.    Discuss nutritious foods not only at home, but at restaurants, vending machines, school, sporting events and gas stations. Help them recognize that there are nutritious choices everywhere you go!
9.    Reduce the screen time and get everyone moving!  Go for a walk, play frisbee, go for a family bike ride, play tag, go bowling, go swimming, etc…  Your kids will love the opportunity to be active and they’ll love doing it with you!  Just remember, if you tell them it is exercise they will rebel, but if you just go out to have fun that is exactly what you will have.
10.    Get your kids to bed earlier so they can get a good nights rest.  Depending on their age, a child needs anywhere from 8 - 14 hours of sleep per day.   A well rest child is happier and more productive.

Do not worry about doing all 10 things at once.  Pick 2 or 3 items from the list that you can incorporate over the next few weeks.  Introduce the ideas slowly and over time, so that it is easier and more natural for your family to embrace the changes.  Be consistent, stay focused and watch as these tips help your children and your family become healthier, and by default, happier!

Article By:  Trish Allen,  Co-Founder of “Live the Life” and Author of “Healthy Mama, Happy Mama“

Staying Mentally and Physically Healthy

Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. When one or both are out of balance it can seem like your world is caving in.

Here are some tips to maintain a good balance and stay on top:

1)  Rest and Relax:  Your body needs to take breaks and step away from all the “stuff” that fills our daily lives. Spa treatments, a hair cut, retail therapy, a short day trip or a long car ride can make the difference. You don’t have to spend a dime either. Cook a nice dinner for the family and eat together, play cards with the kids, watch a movie or invite friends over for a casual get together.

2) Exercise: Even exercise does double duty. While you exercise, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins, our bodies own painkiller, relieve stress, improve mood and concentration as well as temporarily relieve pain.

3) Friends & Family: Make appointments to spend time with your friends and family. Sometimes when things are troubling you they can offer a fresh perspective to get you back on track. No one knows you better and what to say to lift your spirits.

4) Eat right: This will never go away. Our bodies function at their best when they are fueled by proper nutrition. Eating fast food and treats all the time effects your brain chemistry leaving you feeling down and out.

5) Journal: Write down the good and the bad. Logging trips with friends and family or all of your children’s funny comments is a great way to keep your spirits up when your feeling blue. When things seem to be really bad write them too. When your out of the funk, you can read about the unhappy times and try to avoid going back.

6) Love:  Love yourself. You truly are your own best friend. Count your blessings that you are here and wish for wisdom to do you best. It doesn’t matter what you have done in the past, what size you are, what job you have or who your partner is. You are worth every second of the day. You deserve happiness, health and love. Share the love.   Tell someone how much you appreciate them or how good they look today.

How do you keep it all together and stay grounded when times are tough?

Article by: Carin Lane

Maternity Workout Apparel - Exclusively at Impact Fitness

Are you pregnant or know someone who is expecting?  Until lately, finding fun and fashionable workout wear for maternity has been very challenging.

Last year, we released our first line of Maternity Workout Clothes for Women and it has taken off like mad!  Women everywhere have expressed that they want to stay fit and feel great during their pregnancy and without flattering, good fitting maternity workout apparel it was quite discouraging.

This year, we will be extending the Maternity line and adding new tanks, shorts, capris, and long pants.  Look for new styles to be arriving late spring 2011.   We will have Maternity Workout Clothes for Yoga, Pilates, Tennis, Gym-Fitness, Hiking/Outdoor Active Lifestyles, and much more!

Shop Maternity Workout Clothes Now!

All the Best,

The IMPACT Team